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* = Not yet released

Middle Grade

Miscellaneous

Young Adult

Queer: The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke

General/Reference

Anthologies

Intersectionality

Literary Criticism/Study

Self-Help/Advice/Lifestyle

*The Ex-Girlfriend of My Ex-Girlfriend is My Girlfriend by Maddy Court and Kelsey Wroten

*DapperQ Style Manual by Anita Dolce Vita

Sexual Orientation

Anthologies with Queer Representation

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For younger than Middle Grade, see Children's Books. For memoirs and personal essays, click here. * = Not yet released Middle Grade History The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E. Pitman Rainbow Revolutionaries by Sarah Prager *Queer History Project: No Way, They Were Gay?

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We're glad you're here

Find and give support, have fun, connect around shared interests, and get good information. Chat with like-minded peers in live chats designed for you & by you, facilitated by folks who care. Learn more.

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Q Chat Space is a digital LGBTQ + center where you can join live chat, professionally facilitated, discussion groups.

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The It Gets Better Project inspires people across the globe to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.- CDC.gov

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The It Gets Better Project exists to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.

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GSA clubs are student run organizations that unite LGQT+ and allied youth.

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trans and queer youth uniting for racial and gender justice

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As a student, you have the power to make change in many ways in your school and community.

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There are many ways to push for change in your community. GLSEN is here to help you get started and come up with ideas.

Make a powerful statement by participating in the Day of Silence. Bring your school community together with Solidarity Week. Teach respect in and out of the gym/field by learning about GLSEN's Changing the Game. Foster connections and organize together year-round by starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance at your school.

Student leaders are the most valuable, powerful base of action that exists in our country today. When students lead the way, real change happens. Use these resources to work for positive change and build community in your school!

GLSEN's Youth Membership Program

Are you interested in growing your leadership skills? Join GLSEN's Youth Membership program! For youth ages 14-19.

GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliances)

You can make a difference! LGBTQ student-led clubs and GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) are leading the work to create safe and LGBTQ-inclusive schools, and student organizers are the nation's most powerful base for creating change. Along with providing space to organize, GSAs are spaces where students can receive support, socialize, and find community together.

GLSEN research indicates that students at schools with a GSA were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation or gender expression and missed less school than their peers who attended schools without a GSA. LGBTQ students with a GSA at their school also reported less anti-LGBTQ discrimination.

Find out how to start a GSA, get free resources to support your GSA's work, take part in the Day of Silence, Solidarity Week, and GLSEN's Changing the Game, and join the national network of more than GSAs by registering your student club today!

GLSEN Programs

GLSEN's Day of Silence, Solidarity Week, and Changing the Game are designed to give you the tools that you need to urge your school to address and help end anti-LGBTQ+ bullying and help build a school community around solidarity and respect for all.

GLSEN School Calendar

Every school year, we put together a calendar of GLSEN events that address LGBTQ+ and social justice issues, and that allows youth and educators to learn about diverse communities and take action to create safe inclusive schools for all.

Check out our 2022-2023 School Year Calendar

Want to make a lasting difference in your school?

GLSEN proudly supports student organizers in schools across the country. As a student, you have the power to make change in your school and community.

Need some ideas for inspiring GSA meetings, information to provide to teachers, or suggestions for events to engage the entire student body? We have resources to help make your GSA an awesome engine for change as well as a fun, safe space for LGBTQ youth and allies.

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Make a powerful statement by participating in the Day of Silence. Bring your school community together with Solidarity Week. Teach respect in and out of the gym/field by learning about GLSEN's Changing the Game. Foster connections and organize together year-round by starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance at your school.

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If you’ve ever wondered if you’re gay, lesbian, or bisexual, you’re not alone. Many teens ask themselves this question, and here are ways to find some answers. For parents and caregivers, finding out your son or daughter is gay, lesbian, or bisexual can present challenges. Learn more about how to be supportive.

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Some children have a gender identity that is different from their gender assigned at birth, and many have interests and hobbies that may align with the other gender.

Some children, as the American Academy of Pediatrics explains, do not identify with either gender. They may feel like they are somewhere in between or have no gender. It is natural for parents to ask if it is "just a phase." But, there is no easy answer.

Accepting your child's gender-diverse identity

Research suggests that gender is something we are born with; it can't be changed by any interventions. It is critically important that children feel loved and accepted for who they are.

When disclosing their gender diverse identity, some kids might expect immediate acceptance and understanding. However, there is evidence that family members go through their own process of becoming more comfortable and understanding of a child's gender identity, thoughts, and feelings. One model suggests the process resembles the stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance.

Just as gender diverse children do best when their feelings are explored and validated, some parents may need their own emotional supports.They may also have many questions along their child's journey.

What parents can do:

When your child discloses their identity to you, respond in an affirming, supportive way. Understand that although gender identity is not able to be changed, it often is revealed over time as people discover more about themselves.

Accept and love your child as they are. Try to understand what they are feeling and experiencing. Even if there are disagreements, they will need your support and validation to develop into healthy teens and adults.

Stand up for your child when they are mistreated. Do not minimize the social pressure or bullying your child may be facing. See How You Can Help Your Child Avoid & Address Bullying.

Make it clear that slurs or jokes based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation are not tolerated. Express your disapproval of these types of jokes or slurs when you encounter them in the community or media.

Be on the look out for danger signs that may indicate a need for mental health support, such as anxiety, insecurity, depression, low self-esteem, and any emotional problems in your child and others who may not have a source of support otherwise.

Celebrate diversity in all forms. Provide access to a variety of books, movies, and materials-including those that positively represent gender diverse individuals. Point out LGBTQ celebrities and role models who stand up for the LGBTQ community, and people in general who demonstrate bravery in the face of social stigma.

Support your child's self-expression. Engage in conversations with them around their choices of clothing, jewelry, hairstyle, friends, and room decorations.

Reach out for education, resources, and support if you feel the need to deepen your own understanding of LGBTQ youth experiences. See Support Resources for Families of Gender Diverse Youth.

Gender affirmative care

Gender affirmative care is based on the belief that all children benefit from love and support. The goal of gender affirmative care is not treatment; it is to listen to a child and, with the help of parents and families, build understanding.

Sometimes, disagreements can cause frustration. But, the conversation can remain respectful. Through strong, nonjudgmental partnerships with patients and their families, pediatricians create a safe environment in which complicated emotions, questions, and concerns related to gender can be appreciated and explored. Gender affirmative care is most effective in a collaborative system with access to medical, mental health, and social services, including specific resources for parents and families.

Mental health support for gender-diverse youth

Support or rejection ultimately has little influence on the gender identity of youth; however, it may strongly affect young person's ability to openly share or discuss concerns about their identity and feelings. Gender-diverse identities and expressions are not mental disorders, but suppressing gender concerns can harm a child's emotional health and development and possibly contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

A large proportion of teenage suicide attempts are linked to issues of gender and sexuality, particularly feelings of rejection. Many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals unfortunately attempt suicide during their lifetime.

As a parent, even when you struggle to understand and may not see eye-to-eye, your most important role is to offer understanding, respect, and unconditional love for your child. This builds trust and puts you in a better position to help them through difficult times. Research has shown that if a transgender teen has even just one supportive person their life, it greatly reduce their risk of suicide.

Transgender and gender-diverse children - like all children - need support, love and care from family, school and society. When supported and loved as they grow and develop, kids mature into happy and healthy adults. Pediatricians stand ready to assist in the healthy development of transgender and gender-diverse children.

When to talk with your child's pediatrician

Talk to your child's pediatrician early and often. It is recommended that pediatricians start conversations with children as young as preschool about their bodies, feelings, and relationships. Pediatricians can help them understand and appreciate difficult feelings and concerns.

It is important to recognize that cross-gender preferences and play is a normal part of exploring gender and relationships for children regardless of their future gender identity. Routine conversations about gender creates an environment of support and reassurance so that children feel safe bringing up questions and concerns. It is also good practice for continuing these discussions at home. The best approach, for parents or pediatricians, is to nonjudgmentally ask questions that allow the child to talk about their experience and feelings before applying any labels or assumptions.

If your child is struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, isolation, or other emotional concerns, they may need to see a mental health professional who can offer additional support. If your child mentions any suicidal thinking, then it should be brought to the attention of your pediatrician or mental health professional right away.

For more information or help finding a support group for yourself or your child, please talk with your pediatrician. Ask your pediatrician if a telehealth visit by phone or video call is an option. Your child may feel more comfortable talking to their doctor from home.

For teens, the telehealth visit should take place in as private of a place as possible so they can have a one-on-one conversation with the doctor. You can make a plan with the doctor about talking before or after they talk to your teen privately. If it's a video call, and your child or teen would prefer to have the camera off, they can ask their doctor if that is okay. Telehealth visits can also be used for follow-up visits to check on your child's progress.

More information

About Dr. Rafferty:

Jason Rafferty, MD, MPH, EdM, FAAP, is a "Triple Board" residency graduate who is pediatrician and child psychiatrist at Thundermist Health Centers, a Patient-Centered Medical Home in Rhode Island. Dr. Rafferty specializes in adolescent substance use disorders and gender and sexual development, and also practices in related specialty clinics at Hasbro Children's Hospital and Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital. Dr. Rafferty is an advocate in his local community and on a national level through work with the American Academy of Pediatrics on issues including the emotional health of young men, access to care for LGBTQ youth, and prevention of childhood homelessness.

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gender~ transgender~ faq~ gender fluid~ gender diverse~ lqbtq parent

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​​Some children do not identify with either gender. They may feel like they are somewhere in between or have no gender. It is natural for parents to ask if it is "just a phase." But, there is no easy answer. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains why.

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Here ACLU gives you the top resources on learning your rights

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There's a lot of information about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth both on the ACLU's website and elsewhere on the web, but sometimes it can be difficult to find your way to the resources you need online. We've gathered some of the best information we have plus great stuff from other organizations and websites on this page to help you find things that can help you learn more about your rights and what you can do to make your school a safer, more welcoming place.

General Resources
Equal Access Act/Gay-Straight Alliances Harassment

Open Letter to Schools About Addressing Anti-LGBTQ Bullying: An open letter to school administrators about why they are legally obligated to protect students from anti-LGBTQ bullying. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

The Cost of Harassment: A Fact Sheet for LGBTQ High School Students: An overview of the nearly four million dollars' worth of successful harassment lawsuits brought by LGBTQ students against the schools that did nothing to help them. A printable PDF version is available here.

Tips: What You Can Do To Make Schools Safer: A few ideas about things schools, students, and parents can do to reduce harassment.

2017 GLSEN National School Climate Survey: The most recent national survey from GLSEN about attitudes towards LGBTQ students in our nation's schools, the prevalence of harassment and bullying towards LGBTQ students, and school safety.

U.S. Department of Education "Dear Colleague Letter" on bullying and harassment: An open letter from the federal government that makes it clear that schools have a legal obligation to address anti-gay harassment. The letter includes studies and case law to demonstrate schools' responsibility to equally protect all members of their student body.

Safe Schools Coalition: A coalition of organizations based in Washington state that serves schools, students, and parents throughout the U.S., with extra focus on Washington. Their site features training materials, information, and an extensive links section.

Free Speech/Free Expression/Prom

Speaking Out with Your T-Shirt: T-shirts are a common way for students to express their views, and schools often try to censor this form of speech, especially when it's about LGBTQ people. If you're thinking about wearing an LGBTQ-positive t-shirt to school and you expect trouble, here's what you should know and what to expect. A printable PDF version is available here.

Open Letter to Schools About LGBTQ Censorship: A letter to principals and educators explaining the legal requirement that schools allow students to wear clothing or accessories with slogans or symbols that express support for LGBTQ people. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

Open Letter to Schools About Gendered Dress Codes: Having a dress code for boys that is different than it is for girls is illegal, whether that's the everyday dress code or the requirements for prom, graduation, or other special event. This explains why to school officials.

Open Letter to Schools About Disciplining LGBTQ Students for Displays of Affection: This letter explains to schools why they shouldn't punish LGBTQ students who hold hands or display affection in other ways any more harshly than they do straight students for the same behavior.

Open Letter to Schools about Day of Silence: A letter to principals and educators explaining Day of Silence, ways to support students who are participating, and obligations schools have to protect students' safety and freedom of speech.

Open Letter to Schools about Ally Week: A letter to principals and educators explaining Ally Week, ways to support students who are participating, and obligations schools have to protect students' safety and freedom of speech.

Open Letter to Schools about LGBTQ Students' Dates for School Events: Every year, the ACLU receives calls from students whose schools have told them that they cannot bring a same-sex date to prom or homecoming, or that they can bring their date of choice but can't participate in all the same ways that their heterosexual and cisgender classmates can. This letter explains to schools that this is illegal.

Know Your Prom Night Rights! A Quick Guide for LGBTQ High School Students: There are laws protecting your right to be yourself at the prom, and this handout can help you learn about them so that you too can be safe and have fun on the big night!

Wikipedia's entry on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Summarizes the details of the amendment and includes the full text of the amendment.

Privacy Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming Student Resources

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Students: This guide from the ACLU and our colleagues at GLSEN provides information for trans and gender nonconforming students about their rights at school regarding harassment, dress code, dates for prom and other formal dances, and more.

Schools in Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools: This guide from the ACLU, NCLR, Gender Spectrum, and HRC guide is written for administrators, teachers, parents, and other adults who work with youth. It covers topics ranging from basic concepts of gender and the importance of affirming gender identity, to best practices for restroom access and working with unsupportive parents.

Open Letter to Schools About Gendered Dress Codes: Having a dress code for boys that is different than it is for girls is illegal, whether that's the everyday dress code or the requirements for prom, graduation, or other special event. This letter explains why to school officials.

Gender Spectrum: An organization that provides education, resources and training to help schools, health care providers, and family service agencies create a more gender sensitive and supportive environment for all children including gender variant and transgender youth.

Gender Odyssey: An organization that hosts conferences and other means of support for transgender children and their families.

Mermaids: A UK support group for transgender children and teenagers which offers a variety of information.

TransYouth Family Advocates: A coalition of parents, friends and caring adults dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the medical and cultural challenges faced by children with gender variant and gender questioning identities and the families who love them.

Gender Diversity: This organization provides family support, works with schools, and provides community-building services to improve the well-being for people of all gender identities and expressions.

Help for Youth Considering Suicide Elsewhere on the Web

The Trevor Project: A national suicide and crisis prevention resource for LGBTQ youth, including a 24-hour hotline (866-4-U-TREVOR/866-488-7386), as well as a Q&A forum, a live chat, blog, and many other resources for youth, educators, and parents.

Suicide.org: A non-profit suicide prevention informational and educational resource whose website offers support and links to articles pertaining to LGBTQ youth suicide. The site's homepage also has links to multiple suicide prevention hotlines (with both talk and text options) and resources for suicide survivors and the family and friends of suicidal individuals.

Hetrick-Martin Institute: HMI, the home of the Harvey Milk High School, provides multiple resources pages with links to guidance on dealing with bullying and other LGBTQ youth specific issues.

It Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project was created to show young LGBTQ people the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach - if they can just get through their teen years. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBTQ community that they are not alone.

ACLU Staffers' "It Gets Better" Videos: We made our own videos to contribute to the It Gets Better Project, featuring several LGBTQ staffers from the national ACLU's New York and Washington, D.C. offices.

Web Filtering at Your School

Don't Filter Me: Web Content Filtering in Schools: Our campaign to end viewpoint-discriminatory web filtering that blocks access to LGBTQ-positive web content in public schools.

Letter to School Officials Regarding Web Filtering: This letter explains to public schools that using web filtering software the blocks students' access to pro-LGBTQ websites is illegal and unconstitutional. You can print this out and give a copy to your school.

M86 filtering fact sheet: If your public school district uses the M86 web filter and is blocking positive LGBTQ websites, this fact sheet tells you how to get your school to fix it.

Websense filtering fact sheet: If your public school district uses the Websense web filter and is blocking positive LGBTQ websites, this fact sheet tells you how to get your school to fix it.

Info for LGBTQ College Students

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There's a lot of information about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth both on the ACLU's website and elsewhere on the web, but sometimes it can be difficult to find your way to the resources you need online.

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For even more spring LGBTQ books, check out these new releases:

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

Speak for Yourself by Lana Wood Johnson

The Love Story of Ivy K. Harlowe byHannah Moskowitz

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

Lucky Girl byJamie Pacton

Baby and Solo by Lisabeth Posthuma

May the Best Man Win by Zr Ellor

Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin

Not My Problem byCiara Smyth

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30 Of The Best Young Adult LGBTQ Books To Pick Up This Spring

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The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy Speak for Yourself by Lana Wood Johnson The Love Story of Ivy K.

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30 LGBTQ YA Books You'll Absolutely Want To Pick Up This Spring

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Bring yourself some joy this season by rainbowing up your shelves!

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Learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. What they do such as, research, advocacy, training and conventions. They have over 1,600 different organizations that help them support and campaign for their equal rights.

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Info Note on UN Special Procedures (May 2024)
This is the 78th monthly info note by ILGA World on UN Special Procedures: call for inputs and upcoming country visits

Equal Rights Coalition launches its Secretariat, hosted by ILGA World
To best manage the coordination body, ILGA World hired an Equal Rights Coalition Secretariat Manager and is proud to welcome Leanne MacMillan to the team

Sustainable Development Goals and LGBTI people's human rights | SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
In this new episode of our video series on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we address Goal 7 - which aims to ensure access to affordable and clean energy for all
Since 1978, we have been committed to equal human rights for rainbow communities and their liberation from all forms of discrimination.

Since 1978, we have been committed to equal human rights for rainbow communities and their liberation from all forms of discrimination.

Since 1978, we have been committed to equal human rights for rainbow communities and their liberation from all forms of discrimination.

Accessing Connection: Bridging the digital divide for LGBTI communities worldwide

Through a collection of data and testimonies, this report shows how disparities in digital access impact acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. More people across the world

Intersex Legal Mapping Report (2023)

The "an umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices - including in medical settings - and discriminated against. a term that refers to physical features relating to sex - including genitalia and other sexual and reproductive anatomy, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary physical features emerging from puberty. More Legal Mapping Report" offers a global survey on legal protections for people born with variations in sex characteristics More

Our Identities Under Arrest (2023)

"Our Identities Under Arrest" explores the application of laws criminalising consensual same-sex sexual acts and diverse gender expressions

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Since 1978, ILGA World has worked for equal human rights for rainbow communities and their liberation from all forms of discrimination.